Fun in the sun!

About six months ago, before I was pregnant, C and I made reservations to stay at a beach cottage in Crystal Cove (Newport Coast).  They are REALLY hard to reserve and have to be made six months in advanced.  We luckily got one.  Little did I know I would be six months pregnant with twins when we went!

We had SUCH a good time!  My parents, brother, and niece and nephew were also able to stay with us, which made it even more fun!

Here are some pics...

My nephew Noah enjoying the view!

My niece Ivy... she's so pretty!

My mom and I

A crab my brother caught

My bro kissing the crab! YUCK!

Me at 24 weeks 1 day

C and Noah proud of their work! ha!

My Dad and I

C and I

My niece and I....  Rockin the bikini even if my thighs are a lil more voluptuous ;-)

Blogger sucks!

So I've now tried commenting on so many blogs its crazy and it won't work!  It has me resign in and then tries to comment Anonymously, which still won't even work.  It really sucks because its ICLW week and I haven't been able to comment, but I am reading your blogs!!

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

25 weeks!

After a very long day yesterday, I spent today recovering.  Taking our maternity pics was very fun, but it was long, driving wise and getting ready.  I'm so glad its over.  Now I can't wait to see the rest of them!  She sent me about five pics... sneak peaks! 

Here's my week 25 update...

How Far Along: 25 weeks 1 day! 



How Big Are the Babies:

Baby's now the size of an eggplant!

That oh-so-handy sense of equilibrium is kicking in, and baby's learning to distinguish right side up from upside down.











Total weight gain: I gained only 1 more pound... 27 lbs total!  I think I'm right on track!



Maternity clothes: All of my clothes!

Sleep: Horrible the last two nights!  I think part of it is the peeing and part of it was anxiety over these maternity pics!  I can't believe how stressful that was! LOL
GENDER: Two precious little BOYS!!!! We are more than blessed :)



Movement: Babies have been staying in the same position now since week 20!  Baby A is head down and kicks up by my ribs and baby B is breech kick my lower pelvic area.




Food Cravings: Milk, fruit, and pretty much all food!  I am hungry all the time :)


What I Miss: Being able to sleep through the night!  I guess this is preparation for my boys to arrive!



What I'm looking forward to:  A nice relaxing Memorial Day weekend with C!  We don't plan on going anywhere but our pool!  I cant wait for some sun and R & R

Milestones: Each week is a milestone within itself.  I'm now on a countdown.  My goal is to make it to week 36... 11 more to go!


Symptoms: Hunger, Fatigue, heartburn, and the oh so lovely gas!  But hey, I'm still lovin every moment!

A sneak peak...

from my amazing photographer...

25 weeks 0 days pregnant here!

Big day today!

This is a really short post, but I am SUPER EXCITED!  I am having my maternity pics taken today by an amazing photographer!  We are doing some studio pics and some at a winery!  Can't wait!  Off to do hair and make up!!!

Oh and I'm 25 weeks today! YAY... can you believe it!?

Happy May ICLW!!

Welcome to my blog!  I know ICLW started last weekend, but I've been out of town, so I have much to catch up on... reading and commenting on your blogs ;-)   Last month I posted my story on how we got to be pregnant with twins.  It was a long hard road but definitely worth every moment!

Even though I am an "infertile," which I will never ever forget, I do currently talk mainly about being pregnant with my twins on my blog.  It is something I have waited so long for and I want to remember every moment of this pregnancy and these miracles who are growing inside me.

You are welcome to follow along and I hope to enjoy!  Cheers...  ~Sara~

We've made it!

To 24 weeks that is!  I am so excited that everything is going so smoothly (knock on wood!)!  I am so thankful and blessed that we are in the viability zone (but stay put little ones!)!  I am thankful for every day that my babies are safe and snug inside of me.  Every day is a blessing and I know some people are not so lucky.

(Warning... don't read if you are pregnant!)
I think I've talked about this before, but my mom is a labor and delivery nurse.  Throughout my life I've heard really amazing, positive stories as well as tragic, heartbreaking ones.  I know what can happen, what can go wrong.  My mom has been more careful on telling me things, but I still pry.  Yesterday, I called the hospital to say hi to her (which I've done since I was a little girl) and I was told she was in surgery for an emergency.  Later, when she called back, I asked what happened and I could tell her hesitation.  I still wanted to know.  A woman was admitted for an emergency c-section at 24 weeks one day, her due date was Sept. 6, two days before mine.  I asked what happened and I guess the woman went in for a routine 24 week check up  and told the doctor that she hadn't felt the baby move in a few days.  When the doctor checked, the babies heart rate was at 70 bpm!  I guess the placenta was separating from the uterus!  She was immediately rushed to the hospital to deliver.  Thank God the baby is okay (so far) and is in the NICU.  If you can please pray for the health of this baby.  Thankfully this happened at 24 weeks and not before.

From this tragic story, I will be thankful and blessed for each day my little ones are safe inside me.  I am thankful and blessed for technology and these medical miracles and milestones in pregnancy.  Each day and each week is a blessing that I don't take for granted.  This pregnancy and these boys are miracles in themselves and I feel so lucky for each kick I feel.

24 week update!

How Far Along: 24 weeks and 1 day!  Such a miracle!  I had my 24 week checkup with Dr. I yesterday.  Cervix has decreased slightly from 4.5 to 4.1 but he is still VERY happy with it.  Fluid is good, boys were moving around a lot. 


How Big Are the Babies: Corn on the cob! 12.5 in. and 1.25 lbs!  Although my boys were measuring 1.2 lbs 2 weeks ago!
With all the rapidly developing senses in your babies, they should probably be able to sense what side is upside down or right side up. (Baby A is still head down and Baby B is still Breech)

Your babies respiratory system is also rapidly growing, lungs are developing in preparation for breathing, moving amniotic fluid in and out of the lungs.  For now your babies still gets oxygen through the placenta.


Total weight gain: Shockingly enough I'm only up 1 pound from week 22!  So I've gained 26 lbs!  Its so crazy because I gained 3 lbs the week before that.


Maternity clothes: Yes!  Does anyone know of some good idea's of what to wear for maternity photo's?  I'm having the hardest time finding something!  I am having them done this coming Thursday!



Sleep: Is finally starting to get more difficult.  I have such a hard time getting comfortable enough to fall asleep then I toss and turn all night.  Each time I need to roll over  I wake up and basically have to get to roll over.  My belly is getting nice and large ;-)

GENDER: Two precious little BOYS!!!! We are more than blessed :)

Movement: Kicks are getting harder and harder!  I love it!  I'm hooked and I totally think this is the BEST park of pregnancy!


Food Cravings: Nothing new... lots of milk, dairy, citrus fruits, spicy foods!

What I Miss:   I really miss being able to walk/exercise without pains!


What I'm looking forward to: Taking my maternity photos on Thursday!  Woo hoo!  And I'm also going to say what I'm NOT looking forward too.  I need to go take my GD (gestational diabetes) test before my next appointment in two weeks!  UGH!  I thought it was a one hour test, but it is a 2 1/2 hour test!  I'll have to have my blood drawn three times... a fasting baseline, 1 hour, and 2 hour!  I've never heard of this!  Oh well.


Milestones: Making it to 24 weeks baby!  This is HUGE!

Symptoms: Major ligament pain when walking, fatigue, aches and pains, etc.
 
 

Nursery progress pics!

Thankfully my parents were there to help!  Dad paints and Mom tapes :)

Oliver is making sure they were doing a good job ;-)

And me, the photographer, at 22 weeks 6 days here

Dark blue for my baby boys!  Wainscotting is going below, so it is FAR from finished!

My 23 week belly!

A close up, just for fun at 23 weeks!  Yes, I have a shooting star tattoo!  I got it for my 18th bday, 12 years ago!

Self induced bed rest...

My body is officially slowing down.  C doesn't even enjoy going on walks with me anymore because I'm "so slow!"  Yesterday my body officially went kaput!  I decided to take Oliver on a nice long walk to the park, as it was a beautiful day.  I strapped my maternity belt on and headed out.  Once we reached the end of our street the sharp pains began.  I thought maybe my belt was too tight so I tried loosening it a bit, but they continued.  I know its ligament pains because the sharp stabbing pains run on the sides of my belly and in the front below my belly button.

We made it to the park regardless, and I decided to sit on a bench and rest a bit.  I did some push-ups and tricep dips (which I always do) on the bench, with lots of breaks in between, while Oliver and a friend ran around.  I had no pains while resting or while doing my little exercises.

Once we decided to start walking home the pains go progressively worse and it didn't help that I felt like my bladder was going to explode!  We made it home but I was in a lot of pain, so I decided to lay down for a bit.  Well that little bit turned into the rest of the day!  Every time I would stand up and either go to the bathroom or get a drink, etc., I would have the sharp pains!  I was on self induced bed rest the rest of the day.

My body can do yoga, but not walk.  It is officially telling me to SLOW DOWN!  As hard as that is, I have to listen... to keep my lil boys nice and snug!

Paint is done...

next comes the wainscoting!  Dad is coming over Wednesday to hopefully install that!  So right now we have about 2/3 of the wall painted dark blue, and man is it blue!  I'm having a hard time adjusting, but I'm sure with everything in, its going to balance nicely. 

We ordered the cribs, dresser with a changing table topper, and the rocking chair with ottoman.  I am so excited and can't WAIT for them to get here!  The cribs and dresser should arrive at the end of the month and the rocking chair won't be here til July!  I'm so glad we ordered them now!

I am a little frustrated and stressing out because as I look at my Pottery Barn registry, more and more of the things I need for their room keeps going on back order!  I'm worried that by the time people shop for my baby shower, most of the stuff is going to be pushed to August, when my babies will be here!  I know though in the back of my mind, it doesn't really matter because they'll be sleeping with us and not in their room, but I just like everything to be done :-/  I am really bad and want to keep buying things when they go on back order, but C put his foot down.  I have to wait til AFTER my shower, which isn't til June 18! UGH!  I'm wishing it was either the end of this month or beginning of June now.  Oh well what can you do!?

So here are a few pics of whats coming...

Remember... Nautical theme!  The white chair will have the blue and white slip cover on it!  Can't wait to see them all in the room!

Hello again Fatigue...

Fatigue has kicked in full force this week.  I honestly feel just as tired if not more tired than first trimester!  I am able to do about one task per day then I am on the couch ready for a nap.  I called Dr. I about it and asked him about being anemic.  I was very anemic prior to doing IVF and I did get my levels back up before we concieved from taking prescription iron.  I think I was so anemic from having my two uterine surgeries and after each BFN cycle I would bleed so bad I would almost be hemorrhaging!

I googled anemia in pregnancy and found that its very common and I can only imagine with more than one baby growing its twice as likely.  I started taking an extra iron tablet, along with my prenatal, last week, with Dr. I's permission.  He's going to test me again at my next appointment on Thursday. 

So basically I am either exhausted from being anemic again or I am just exhausted from cooking two little ones.  We'll see!

23 week update!

How Far Along: 23 weeks 2 days

How Big Are the Babies: Still papaya's!  For some reason they are stuck at this fruit for a few weeks on my little updater!

Baby's little face is fully formed...minus the baby fat, of course. The next task at hand for baby: sprouting two teeny-tiny nipples!

Total weight gain:  I haven't been on the scale since last week... I'm scared! LOL!

Maternity clothes: YUP!

Sleep: I've been sleeping a lot thanks to my new found exhaustion!  Still wake up to pee at least twice a night!


GENDER: Two lil BOYS!!!! Yay!!


Movement: Now I know who I'm feeling when I feel them.  Baby A is on the left side of my uterus, head down (stay that way baby!), and he kicks on my upper left side.  Baby B is head up or breech and kicks on my lower right.  Its so crazy when I feel them kick at the same time in different spots!

Food Cravings: hmmm... I love love milk and cereal and have to have one bowl a day, pepperoncini's on my sandwiches or on the side and in salads, still love mexican food, still hate steack and chicken breast!

What I Miss: My energy!  I'm hoping the iron works and I get my energy back!

What I'm looking forward to: Making it to week 24... Viability! Four more days!

Milestones: Hmmm... I'm not sure I have any this week! =/  But, I love every second my babies are kicking... I'm hooked!

Symptoms: I definitely have the brown line, although its still super light!  I have heartburn, fatigue, groin pain (I think I pulled a muscle), and my wedding ring is getting tight (boo!)!  I am hoping it still fits at least a few more weeks, I'm getting my belly pictures done professionally! yay!

Paint and bedding...

Today we paint!  I picked out the perfect blue to go with our Nautical themed nursery.  Since C works so much and is not the most handy, my Dad is coming over to help.  We will be painting the upper 2/3 of the wall and then will be leaving the lower 1/3 for the wainscoting!  I am super excited! 

Here is a pic of the bedding for our boys (Michael is not the name).  We found sailboat sheets which we already purchased that go perfectly with the bedding! 

There are three blues in the bedding, light blue, a darker blue and navy.  Here's the two colors I tried on the wall...

Both go perfectly, but I love the darker one!  I'll post some pics when we're done!

Day at the Perinatologist...

It took much longer than anticipated!  It felt like they did a lot of the same measurements all over again!  Did I ever mention that ultrasounds HURT!  My skin is extremely tender and they have to push pretty hard at times.  I'm glad C was there so I could squeeze his hand!  Anyways,  they really focused on the their hearts, making sure there are four chambers and the the blood is flowing through them correctly.  That was the longest part because the babies kept moving.  Baby A was head down and Baby B was breech.  It is still very early though and they can both still flip around, which I'm sure I feel them do often. 

Baby A's placenta is, so far, causing NO PROBLEMS! yay!  He is measuring the same weight as his brother and both babies are measuring AHEAD! Baby A measured 1 lb 2 oz and 23 weeks 1 day.  Baby B also measured 1 lb 2 oz and 23 weeks 2 days!  Nice and big!  The peri stated that because Baby A's umbilical cord attached at the side of the placenta and not in the center, it can cause less blood flow to the baby as well as nutrients.  It sometimes causes a problem and many times there would already be signs...  Not for my lil guy!  I go back in a month to check their growth again.  Please continue praying that they both get all that they need!

My cervix is holding up GREAT!  I was so worried about a shortening cervix and so far so good!  At 18 weeks it measured 4.7 and at 22 weeks it is measuring 4.5!!!  Not much change!!  I really felt I over did it a couple days I was on my feet for a long time walking and shopping, I guess I can let go of those worries ;-)

I got another nice surprise and got a couple pics of BOTH babies in 4D!  The tech thought one looked like me and one like C.  What do you think...?

Baby A, finally showing his cute lil face!

Baby B!!

22 weeks!!!

22 week update:



How Far Along: 22 weeks 2 days


How Big Are the Babies: Papaya's!

Watch what you say -- baby is now able to hear outside noise from down in the womb. Studies show that baby finds gentle music and your own voice most soothing. Nipples are starting to sprout, and that little face is fully formed. And, baby's starting to settle into sleep cycles, snoozing about 12 to 14 hours a day. It shouldn't be hard to figure out when -- just pay attention to those kicks as they start and stop.







Total weight gain: 25 lbs!  Wow!  I remember in the  beginning of the pregnancy when I read that you were supposed to gain 24 lbs by week 24, and I thought, "how am I going to do that?"  I thought that was so much weight!  Well I surpassed that 2 weeks early!  I am not worrying about it though because I eat healthy and eat when I'm hungry and stop when I'm full.  I'm listening to my body and my growing babies needs.  I pray every day that they continue to grow healthy and strong, that what I am putting in my body is nourishing their needs... especially little baby A (because of his placenta prob)!


Maternity clothes: YUP! 


Sleep: Not that good.  I've been waking up a lot to pee and also tossing and turning.  I also have dreams about my babies kicking and I think its because they are actually kicking each time I wake up.  Last night I also had horrible heartburn (the worst yet) and had to put an extra pillow under my head, which helped a bit.



GENDER: Two lil BOYS!!!! Yay!!


Movement: I'm feeling somersaults and hard kicks!  I love it!



Food Cravings: I still love spicy food.  I ate a bean and cheese burrito yesterday with salsa and then was still craving something spicy so I ate three pepperoncini's... I paid for it with horrible heartburn :(



What I Miss: A good glass of Pinot Nior!  I am really missing my wine!  I am also craving a good workout with running.  I LOVE my yoga, but nothing beats a good sweat.


What I'm looking forward to: two more days til my appointment with the Peri!  He'll check my cervix, Baby A's placenta and growth, and do some more measurements which I was too early to do last visit.  I am also going to ask them why they never told me about umbilical attachment of Baby A.  I am still pretty upset that they made it seem like everything was perfect until I went to my OB to get the REAL scoop.

Milestones: I'm still going to say SEEING kicks from the outside and now feeling lots of somersaults!



Symptoms: I think I'm starting to see the brown line (linea nigra) go down my belly.  Its SUPER light.  I wasn't sure I was even going to get one because I'm so fair, but I think I'm barely starting see something :)

Mini Vaca...

Last Thursday we went on our first pregnancy road trip... to Laughlin, Nevada!  Woo hoo!  Not really.  It was definitely nice to get away, but I would have much rather spent a weekend else where.  The main reason we went was because our friends were going and needed a place to stay.  C's parents have a house there and we usually go up there a few times a year.  Since being preggers, however, we have been staying pretty close to home.  I usually go stir crazy after about a month and then we head out, somewhere.  Its definitely changed, I have babies on the brain and maybe they are making me a little more grounded, which is a good thing :-)

The weather was absolutely beautiful out there on Friday.  Not too hot.  Its usually in the 100's during the summer, so this was the perfect time to visit.  (Un)Fortunately, I think this will be our one and only trip this year, however. Usually when we go to Laughlin we set up camp along the lake, BBQ, and go out on the wave runners.  Lots of fun, but not when you are carrying two babies.  The next time C's family is going is going to be in June the week after my baby shower.  I'll be 29 weeks. and I don't think it would be a good idea to be 4 hours from home and be in super hot conditions.

Anyways, the drive up wasn't too bad.  I did have to pee three times, but that's just comes with the territory.  I really wanted to go to the outlet mall to bath and body works to pick up gifts for my shower.  I loaded up!  All the body washes, lotions and sprays were 75% off!  What a deal!  I usually stock up for the year when I go, and man did I!  I love their body washes they smell so amazing!

Saturday C and I had some alone time and when on a date!  It was so nice!  We found a little Italian restaurant (yes I'm eating Italian again... yay!) on the Arizona side of the river.  So, even though I cannot drink wine anymore (which my doctor says is okay to have a little, I choose not to) I get to enjoy dessert!  We shared literally the BEST Tiramasu I've EVER had!  Supposedly it was rated in the top 10 for Tiramasu connoisseurs, in the country!  I used to RARELY eat dessert because I would indulge in wine, now I'm trading! Its fun NOT being on a diet, although I am very conscience of making good food choices for my growing little ones ;-)

Overall it was a nice trip, just nice to get away.  Here is a pic from week 21...  Me and my first born, Oliver!

21 weeks 1 day!

21 week update:

How Far Along: 21 weeks 5 days (I'll write this from 21 weeks exactly)

How Big Are the Babies:  Banana's!!!  

Your Baby in Week 21 of Pregnancy


How big is your baby? About the size of a large banana — and speaking of bananas, if you eat one this week, there's a good chance your baby will get a taste, too. That's because he swallows a bit of amniotic fluid each day (for nutrition, hydration, and to practice digesting), so he eats whatever's on your menu — and gets to put those developing taste buds to good use. So go ahead and nosh on those nachos (or crunch those crudités): Your baby may develop a taste for them when he’s older



Total weight gain: 23 lbs!  I only gained one last week so I needed to make up for it with THREE this week! UGH!  Hopefully some of that is water weight, I ate out yesterday!


Maternity clothes: I just bought two new dresses!  One for my baby shower!  Its a strapless in BLUE!  Adorable :)


Sleep: I have been really tired and taking lots of naps.  But, I also sleep great at night (besides all the peeing!).


GENDER: Two lil BOYS!!!! Yay!!



Movement: Tons!  And the newest cool thing is SEEING the kicks from the outside of my belly!  My belly moves when they kick!  Sooo cool!


Food Cravings:  Not really.  Just enjoying summer fruits... Strawberry's, watermelon, cantaloupe, etc.!  I am loving FRUIT!


What I Miss: Nothing right now!  I love being pregnant! And my back is doing MUCH better!



What I'm looking forward to: My next Dr appointment with the Perinatologist on Monday!  I still worry about a shortening cervix.  I really want to keep this babies in here as long as possible!

Milestones: SEEING kicks from the outside!

Symptoms: Not sure if this is a "symptom" per say, but its unpleasant.  Baby B now likes to hide underneath my RIBS!  It is VERY uncomfortable.  I try laying on my side and push him down.  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  I figure its only going to get worse the bigger he gets, but obviously worth the discomfort!

And, my belly button is looking funnier by the day!  Its starting to get flat, not sure if I'll get an outty or just have a flat one.  We'll see... any day now!

ps.  I just updated my blog design.  I love it!  Do you?